Navigating the Quantum Mechanical Model Using Guided Inquiry
Kristen Drury | Thu, 01/06/2022 - 14:30
Using guided inquiry learning to identify patterns and trends in the Quantum Mechanical Models of elements.
atomic theory
Analogy Experiment—Projectile Pennies with Rutherford
Ben Meacham | Mon, 11/08/2021 - 15:48
Atomic theory is a common topic throughout any introductory chemistry course. It is likely that Rutherford’s gold foil experiment gets at least some attention in your course. This simple activity gives students an opportunity to replicate Rutherford’s experiment through an analogy experiment that may allow for easier conceptualization of the experiment itself and provide additional support for model development.
Counting Orbitals I: The 'Ah-ha! Moment' and Quantum Numbers
Joseph Lomax | Sun, 10/24/2021 - 09:53
Quantum mechanics is a proverbially and quintessentially challenging topic. It is the poster-child of difficulty in chemistry. Setting up the discussion for the four quantum numbers is fraught with potential and confusion. In this post learn about a different way to teach about orbitals.
Bringing the Gold Foil Experiment to Life!
Thomas Cox | Fri, 10/08/2021 - 23:30
Whether in the classroom or in the online format, students typically struggle to envision the infamous Rutherford (aka Geiger-Marsden) gold foil experiment. A short video was created that describes the experimental design and set up. Enjoy...
The Magical Periodic Table and The Element Girls Series
Rajasree Swaminathan | Tue, 04/13/2021 - 08:43
Rajasree Swaminathan has developed a series of books that combines story-telling and visual representation of the elements as human characters. Along with hands-on activities, these books have created enthusiasm in her chemistry classes.
Stamp of the Week #2
Michael Morgan | Thu, 04/16/2020 - 16:30
Germany issued a pair of stamps that honor two fundamentally huge accomplishments in science in 1994. The Quantum Theory and Ohm’s Law. They were really well designed stamps and very accurate in their science.
Revisiting the Rainbow Safety Alert
Deanna Cullen | Wed, 07/17/2019 - 10:07
The American Chemical Society's Committee on Chemical Safety has reached out once again asking that the larger community share the warning about using the Rainbow Demonstration. They want to spread the word about the dangers of the Rainbow Flame Demonstration so no further injuries occur.
Especially JCE: March 2019
Erica Jacobsen | Fri, 03/15/2019 - 23:16
Erica Jacobsen shares highlights from the March 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education.
Giving Students a Working Model to Explain Interactions Between Matter and Light
Scott Milam | Thu, 10/18/2018 - 22:27
Light is a challenging topic in chemistry. In this article, I share an outline of how I approach the content related to interactions between matter and light using activities, a simulation, demonstrations and whiteboards.
Extension Activity with Isotopes Matter
Michelle Okroy | Sun, 10/09/2016 - 14:33
After receiving positive feedback from Peter Mahaffy, the IUPAC project co-chair of Isotopes Matter, I decided to add an additional component to the original isotope assignment I posted. The second component of the assignment focuses on the applications of both radioactive and stable isotopes using the interactive IUPAC periodic table.